MDM-2 protein is expressed in different layers of normal human skin

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 2, 2026

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal Skin and Melanoma Progression
11:02

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal Skin and Melanoma Progression

Published on: August 3, 2011

J E Dazard1, D Augias, H Neel

  • 1Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, UMR 5535, Montpellier, France.

Oncogene
|March 6, 1997
PubMed

Insights

MDM-2 protein is highly expressed in normal human skin, independent of p53 status. This finding suggests MDM-2 plays a role in skin biology, even when p53 is altered, potentially contributing to tumorigenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • MDM-2 is a target gene of the p53 tumor suppressor.
  • MDM-2 inhibits p53's transcriptional modulation.
  • Deregulated MDM-2 expression may contribute to tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate MDM-2 expression in normal human skin.
  • To determine if MDM-2 expression correlates with p53 status in skin cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Western blot analysis of MDM-2 protein.
  • Immunohistochemical detection in skin biopsies and in vitro reconstituted skin.
  • Analysis of skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen disease).

Main Results:

  • MDM-2 is highly expressed in normal human epidermis and in vitro reconstituted skin.
  • MDM-2 is detected in keratinocyte nuclei across epidermal layers.
  • MDM-2 expression occurs independently of wild-type p53 and shows no correlation with p53 status in skin carcinomas.

Conclusions:

  • MDM-2 is expressed in differentiated adult human skin.
  • MDM-2 expression in skin is not dependent on wild-type p53.
  • MDM-2 may play a role in skin biology and tumorigenesis, irrespective of p53.
  • This study provides the first evidence of MDM-2 expression in differentiated adult tissue.

More Related Videos

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture08:32

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Published on: October 20, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Papillary Dermis01:11

Papillary Dermis

Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen and...
Cells of the Epidermis01:24

Cells of the Epidermis

The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Reticular Dermis01:15

Reticular Dermis

The papillary and reticular dermis are the two layers of the dermis. They are made of connective tissue with fibers of collagen extending from one to the other, making the border between the two somewhat indistinct. The dermal papillae extending into the epidermis belong to the papillary layer, whereas the dense collagen fiber bundles below belong to the reticular layer.
Reticular Layer
Underlying the papillary layer is the much thicker reticular layer, composed of dense, irregular connective...
Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Layers of the Epidermis01:21

Layers of the Epidermis

The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is composed of several distinct layers. From deep to superficial, the layers of the epidermis are as follows:
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...